A trip inspired by a reader

On a cold winter day, we received a letter from reader Pam Kirst, who likes to spend Saturdays in Granville, Ohio, a picturesque college town founded by New Englanders in 1805. She mentions the town's historic inns and village green but then confesses her real reason for going to Granville (35 miles east of Columbus) is to eat chocolate and read books.

She describes a public library with inviting window seats, a neighborhood bookshop, and rival chocolatiers selling sea-salt caramel and English toffee. We put down her note, looked out at the miserably gray sky and thought, Sold.

Even on a damp day, you'll find sparks of color and warmth throughout Granville. Teapots twinkle in Petali Teas, art and gifts fill two floors at Kussmaul Gallery, and young actors shine onstage at Denison University. The chic Granville Millinery Company hosts one- and two-day hat-making workshops, and the rural Welsh Hills Inn serves wine and cheese around a crackling fire.

We perused books at Readers' Garden, and we most definitely checked out those dueling Goumas brothers' chocolate shops -- and even declared a favorite. Though, like Pam, we might need to visit Granville again (and again), just to be sure.

Click ahead for some of our favorite places to shop, explore, eat and sleep in Granville. Pictured: Amy Hamilton of the Granville Millinery Company hosts hat-making workshops in a converted barn outside town.

Denison University Big map kiosks around the 900-acre campus make self-guided tours easy. (Check out the view down to the stadium.) The university is well-known for its arts programs and hosts many concerts, recitals and plays each year. A calendar of events can be found on the university's website. Note that credit cards are not accepted for ticket purchases. See Midwest Living's review. (740) 587-6527; denison.edu

Granville: Where to sleep

Welsh Hills Inn A stately country home blends amenities such as wide-screen TVs and terry robes with personal touches like vases of fresh flowers. Rooms and suites from $175, including breakfast made with farm-fresh eggs. See Midwest Living's review. (740) 321-1493; welshhillsinn.com

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